Weilrod, July 16, 2026 – The European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) entered into force on February 11, 2025, and will become directly applicable in all EU Member States from August 12, 2026. It establishes a harmonized framework for the management of packaging and packaging waste, with the aim of making packaging more sustainable, reducing waste, and keeping materials in circulation for longer.

“The PPWR sends a clear message from the EU: in the future, packaging should not only protect products and appeal to consumers, but above all become significantly more sustainable,” explains Patrick Fischer Riegert, Product Compliance Expert at imds professional. For companies, this means rethinking packaging—not only as a regulatory obligation but also as an opportunity to demonstrate responsibility and strengthen customer trust. imds professional supports businesses in meeting material and product compliance requirements, as well as fulfilling reporting and due diligence obligations.

With the regulation becoming applicable in August 2026, its requirements gain immediate relevance for companies. Businesses must be able to identify and demonstrate exactly which packaging they use, how it is composed, and whether it complies with the new requirements. These include stricter restrictions on hazardous substances such as PFAS, clearly defined responsibilities throughout the supply chain, and comprehensive documentation, including declarations of conformity.

From 2026 onward, transparency and data management will be the primary focus. Companies must systematically collect, assess, and document packaging-related information. Key sustainability requirements will, however, be introduced gradually. Requirements concerning recyclability and mandatory recycled content targets for plastic packaging and plastic components in packaging will become particularly relevant from 2030 and will be further tightened by 2040. “2026 marks the operational starting point: companies must know their packaging and be able to provide robust documentation,” says Fischer Riegert.

The regulation affects all economic operators across the packaging value chain—from manufacturers, importers, and distributors to companies placing packaging on the market under their own name. Responsibility depends largely on who influences material selection, design, or labeling, as this also determines accountability for compliance. Importers and online retailers play a particularly important role because they frequently introduce packaging directly into the European market. They must ensure compliance with all applicable requirements—even when the packaging is not produced by their own organization. In e-commerce, international supply chains and high shipping volumes make this an especially significant challenge.

The PPWR also significantly strengthens recyclability requirements. Packaging must not only be theoretically recyclable but must also function effectively within real-world collection, sorting, and recycling systems. Material choices, colors, coatings, and adhesives must not hinder the recycling process.

A key instrument of the regulation is the Declaration of Conformity, through which companies demonstrate that their packaging complies with legal requirements. The effort involved depends largely on the quality and availability of existing data. “The Declaration of Conformity is less a form and more a stress test for packaging data management,” emphasizes Fischer Riegert. Non-compliance may result not only in fines but also in substantial market access risks: packaging may only be placed on the market if it meets the applicable requirements. Additional consequences may include delays, rework, or product withdrawals.

The regulation also introduces significantly stricter rules concerning hazardous substances. For PFAS in food-contact packaging, specific threshold values will apply from August 2026. Companies must therefore thoroughly assess their materials and obtain reliable supporting evidence from suppliers.

Overall, the PPWR requires companies to take a more comprehensive and strategic approach to packaging. Procurement, product development, quality management, sustainability, and sales functions will all be affected. Digitalization plays a crucial role in this process: only structured and up-to-date packaging data will enable companies to meet the requirements efficiently.

According to Fischer Riegert, common mistakes in practice include viewing the PPWR as a future issue rather than an immediate priority, or misinterpreting key concepts such as “recyclability.” His conclusion is clear: “PPWR compliance is not merely a sustainability issue—it is a prerequisite for continuing to market products legally and successfully within the European market.”

Company Information

Since 1999, imds professional has been a specialist in material and product compliance as well as due diligence obligations. We create transparency and certainty in an increasingly complex regulatory environment, helping companies safeguard supply capability, competitiveness, and sustainability.

Our team supports companies worldwide in achieving material and product compliance efficiently and in a legally compliant manner, while also reporting and documenting sustainability-related due diligence obligations. In doing so, we enable businesses to actively contribute to environmental protection, human rights, and occupational health and safety throughout global supply chains.

With more than 20 years of experience, manufacturer-independent consulting, and fast, pragmatic international services, imds professional is the trusted partner for OEMs and suppliers. We combine training, consulting, and services into a tailored full-service offering—from practical training programs and cost-effective material data management to complete outsourcing solutions.

As an official DXC partner for IMDS and CDX, we are the market leader in Europe. For more information, please visit www.imds-professional.com.

Press Contact

imds professional GmbH & Co. KG
Ann-Carin Hahn-Köding
Waschweg 3
61276 Weilrod, Germany

Tel.: +49 6083 9130-28
E-mail: ann-carin.hahn-koeding@imds-professional.com